#GolfVette Stop No. 2: St James Bay Golf Club; Carrabelle, Florida

The St James Bay Golf Club is an Audubon International golf course which means it’s environmentally sustainable. It’s a place where golfers and birds can coexist. The course’s designer Bob Walker tells us they worked carefully to not disturb the local flora and fauna.

“There are a lot of wetlands and a high water table at St James,” Walker tells WBGD. “And we were particularly cautious with the gophers and tortoises while building the golf course. But that’s the topography in that part of Florida and the reason for the forced carries on the golf course — that’s the land there. As a designer, I work with the land.”

1. One thing about St James Bay Golf Club we’ll remember in five years?
The golf course and condos are set in natural old Florida. Locals refer to the region as the “forgotten coast”. There’s lots of wildlife, cranes, gators and wetlands – it’s a truly beautiful area. St George Island is 30 miles away – a lot of people stay there and come over for golf or stay at St James and go over there for the beach.

2. Favorite hole? The 12^th hole, it’s a picturesque par 4 with lots of wildlife and wetland plant-life. There’s a beautiful large pond on the right side of the fairway guarding the green. But overall, there isn’t a bad hole on the course.

3. Potpourri? All the food was good, but particularly loved the seafood platter in the restaurant and the local craft beers were a nice touch. The condos are quality — comparable to a 4- to 5-star hotel room.